Almatti Dam height increase: Letter Urging compensation for four villages in Babaleshwar

Bengaluru: Vijayapura district in-charge Minister M. B. Patil has written to Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy seeking compensation for at least 1,000 acres in the first phase, as the increase in the height of the Almatti Dam is expected to submerge 5,600 acres across 15 villages in the Babaleshwar Assembly constituency, which he represents.

In his letter, Patil said the height of the dam is being raised from the existing 519.60 metres to 524.256 metres. This will result in the submergence of 75,563 acres across 184 villages. Of these, 31 villages are in Vijayapura district, including 15 villages in the Babaleshwar Assembly constituency.

A total of 5,600 acres is being acquired in these villages. Therefore, he has requested that at least ₹500 crore be earmarked for land in the Babaleshwar constituency as part of the proposed compensation package of approximately ₹3,000 crore.

Among these villages, Patil has urged that Chikkagalagali, Shirabur, Hosuru and Kanaburu, where project works are already under way, be taken up on priority and compensation of ₹500 crore be provided in the first phase.

He has also requested that notifications be issued for the remaining 10 villages and urgent steps be taken to disburse the compensation.